Pride in Writing: How I Learned to Write for God, Not Myself
Why surrendering your talent to God brings freedom and purpose
It’s easy to think your talent belongs to you.
As a writer, I’ve often prided myself on my ability with words. I saw my talent as a gift from God—but I also let that pride go to my head.
I started obsessing over analytics, chasing affirmation and status instead of focusing on the true purpose of my writing. I realized I wasn’t writing to glorify God; I was writing for validation.
Here’s the truth: real freedom comes when we write to God, not just for Him, trusting Him with both the process and the outcome.
Most Writers Struggle with Pride
Studies show that frequent feedback, like analytics, can create unhealthy dependency on external validation.
For writers, this means constantly checking likes, views, or comments as a measure of worth. But when we write to seek approval or status, our focus shifts from glorifying God to glorifying ourselves.
God doesn’t need our talents to succeed, but He invites us to use them for His glory. When we release our work to Him—whether it reaches one person or thousands—we find true purpose and peace.
How to Let Go of Pride in Your Writing
Releasing pride starts with humility and a shift in focus. Here’s how:
Write to God First: Think of your writing as a form of worship. Focus on what He wants you to say, not how others might respond.
Serve Your Audience, Not Yourself: Write to help, encourage, or uplift others, trusting God to use your words however He sees fit.
Trust God with the Results: Whether your work takes off or stays small, remember it’s all for His glory, not yours.
Write freely, knowing your worth comes from Him, not the world.
Here's Why Writing to God Brings Freedom
When we surrender our writing to God, we find purpose beyond ourselves.
I used to write with analytics in mind, chasing validation from numbers and feedback.
But when God showed me my focus was off, I realized I was using my talent to build my own name, not His.
For me, writing shifted when I began seeing my words as worship, serving others instead of myself.
The lesson is simple: pride chains us to worldly success, but humility sets us free to create with joy. Whether one person reads your words or a million, it’s all for God’s glory.
Not gonna lie, Grant - I literally just finished checking my post analytics when I read this. Felt like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, trying to sneak one more peek at those numbers. You know that moment when God's timing is so perfect it makes you laugh?
Your post brings to mind Paul's words about offering ourselves as "living sacrifices" (Romans 12:1). Think about that: when we write, each word becomes part of that offering. It's not like a performance where we stand on stage counting the applause - it's more like bringing a gift to someone we love, then letting them decide how to use it.
Thank you for writing this article.